What is not changing?

It has been quite some time since I last shared my thoughts on LinkedIn. As some of you are aware, I have a profound passion for reading and writing. However, my writing is not about myself, but rather focuses on giving and sharing insights that I believe can assist others facing similar situations.

Recently, I came across a remarkable quote from someone on the brink of passing away: "giving is living, taking is dying." This simple yet profound statement resonated deeply within me.?If we aspire to truly embrace a fulfilling existence, we must adopt a giving mindset. Instead of constantly seeking to take from the world around us, we should strive to give back. In doing so, we not only enrich the lives of others but also nourish our own souls. It is through acts of generosity and selflessness that we experience genuine fulfillment and purpose.?If you want to truly live, give!?

Over the past year, numerous changes have unfolded in my life, affecting not only myself but also those closest to me - my family, dear friends, and colleagues. Today, I want to discuss the topic of change in an ever-changing world. ?Amidst these changes, I find it crucial to contemplate what remains constant and holds great value.

The Myth of Do What We Love

In my career, I've pondered the age-old question: should I pursue what I love or focus on what I excel at when I can only choose one? Inspirational videos often advocate for following our passions and doing what we love. Successful individuals proudly share their personal stories, urging us to do the same.

I initially embarked on a fashion career before transitioning to IT. I have always had a deep appreciation for fashion, art, and music. However, my shift into technology wasn't a matter of choice. When I first delved into computer science, I struggled to grasp 95% of the lectures delivered by my professors. Surprisingly, though, I found relational databases and programming to be relatively easy due to my logical and reasoning-based nature. I developed a fondness for computer science, and I attributed it to luck and my love for the field. However, upon introspection, I realized that it wasn't so much about finding what I loved; rather, it was my innate talent in logic that made it feel natural to me, ultimately sparking my attraction. Nevertheless, at the time, I confidently proclaimed that I had discovered my true passion.

In my 25-year IT career, I can simplify my discussion by categorizing expertise into three layers:

#1: User Experience layer: This includes UI development, human-centric design, accessibility, and industry specifics.

#2: Orchestration layer: This encompasses product management, DevOps, architecture, lean processes, and various models.

#3: Infrastructure layer: This covers cloud infrastructure, platform infrastructure, security controls, and hardware.

Naturally, I am drawn to the first layer due to my love for artistic and human-centric aspects. Throughout my professional journey, I made efforts to align myself with the UX layer because it is enjoyable, fascinating, and allows for creativity. However, despite my best attempts to transition to the first layer, I have found more success in the second layer, regardless of my efforts.

In my quest for answers, I sought guidance from my father, who had a profound influence on me. He worked until the age of 78, with increasing demands, he shared invaluable wisdom with me. From a young age, he emphasized the importance of broadening knowledge base. However, as I grew older, he advised me to focus on at least one thing. Becoming a Go-To person in a particular field would provide job security and a stable life. In a highly competitive world, having superficial knowledge in everything actually means lacking expertise in anything, making one more vulnerable in the job market. This holds particularly true when the job market is unfavorable. My father exemplified this principle by excelling in one area and even publishing a book as a leading authority in his specialized field.

Furthermore, my parents instilled in me the significance of tackling the toughest challenges. They emphasized that when something is easy, it attracts a multitude of competitors, leaving me in constant struggle. Instead, I should always choose the roads less traveled, paving my own unique path.

I chose to specialize in DevOps and the operating model of transforming organizations into PaaS and SaaS engineering organizations. However, my journey hasn't been without challenges. Having spent a significant portion of my professional career at technology giants like HP and Microsoft, I would be dishonest if I claimed it was effortless. In fact, it has been overwhelming and fraught with struggles, particularly in the realms of DevOps and architecture. Both fields involve grappling with highly intricate and complex problems while managing numerous stakeholders and striving to accomplish objectives.

In 2022, after dedicating many years to Architecture and DevOps, I decided to venture into the exciting realm of layer 1 work. I left DevOps behind and joined the Microsoft Retail and Consumer Goods service line, where I led the architecture team with a specific focus on fashion and retail. However, within a span of six months, I found myself feeling miserable, realizing that I had made a significant mistake. While my passion for fashion and retail remained intact, I lacked the necessary expertise and respect in this domain. I had limited industry knowledge, lacked connections in the field, and held no influence in decision-making processes. What haunted me the most was the constant pull towards DevOps, Lean Product, and Operating Model initiatives, despite these areas not contributing to my organizational impact and metrics. It was during this time that I first realized I was not leveraging my strengths but instead leading based on my weaknesses.

One of the most impactful revelations came from Christine Price , a highly respected strengthsfinder coach. She asked me to write down my strengths three times using my dominant hand and then three times using my non-dominant hand. The difference was striking – when we operate from a place of strength versus weakness, our emotions shift drastically. Utilizing our weaknesses to compete often leaves us feeling miserable, hopeless, and demoralized.

It finally dawned on me that my true strengths lie in Strategy, DevOps, architecture, lean product, and orchestration. These areas align with my innate strengths: especially Connectedness. My connectedness enables me to have faith in the interconnections between all things, build bridges between individuals and groups, and assist others in finding meaning by exploring the bigger picture of the world around them.

Realizing the impact of my career choices, I came to understand that working for smaller companies would make a significant difference. Furthermore, having spent considerable time in professional services or consulting organizations within product companies, I recognized the need to transition to the core of innovation – product engineering. By combining these elements, I could amplify my impact even further. At this stage of my life, monetary rewards, promotions, and personal gain hold less importance. What truly matters to me now is making a meaningful impact.

Knowing and leveraging your strengths is key. Instead of solely focusing on doing what you love, prioritize doing what you are naturally talented in. By aligning your work with your inherent abilities, you will not only gain respect from others more easily but also find genuine enjoyment in what you do.

Warren Buffett, a renowned investor, famously stated that the golden rule of success is to do one thing exceptionally well. This principle emphasizes the importance of focusing on a specific area or skill and becoming a master at it. By dedicating oneself to honing expertise in a particular field, individuals can position themselves for long-term success and achievement.

Surprising benefits of kindness and gracefulness in an ever-changing world

Securing a job is a multifaceted challenge, inherently unpredictable. Similarly, success itself cannot be easily predicted, but failure often can. Therefore, our focus should be on minimizing the chances of failure, consequently increasing our likelihood of success. This realization has been one of the most intriguing and valuable lessons in my life.

One mistake we make is to treat those who can do nothing for us without basic respect. I have also written an article exploring the importance of how we treat individuals who may not currently offer us any apparent benefits. It delves into the test of our character and can be found on LinkedIn under the title: "The test of our character is how we treat those who can do nothing for us."

Throughout my career, I have made it a practice to write recognition letters for individuals, regardless of my levels as an IC or a manager, expressing appreciation for their contributions. Most managers respond positively to these gestures. However, I have encountered some managers who either harbor dislike towards their direct reports or simply exhibit laziness in acknowledging recognition. This behavior sends a strong message with bad taste to the sender, regardless of how their direct reports may feel.

As managers, it is crucial to remain professional and respectful, even if we do not particularly like our direct reports due to performance or personal issues. Receiving a recognition letter about our direct report offers an opportunity to challenge our assumptions. Could our biases be at play? Are we being fair? It's important to recognize that the world is small, and the manager who receives recognition of his or her direct reports may one day find themselves seeking a job where the sender is the hiring manager.

A significant moment in our careers is when we bid farewell to a company, whether it be due to a new job, a layoff, or retirement. It is during this vulnerable time that a little love and care can make a lasting impact. If the departing individual is a close colleague, taking the time to write a thoughtful letter expressing appreciation and sharing fond memories can mean the world. Even for regular colleagues, it is important to offer kind words and well wishes. You never know if this person may become your future hiring manager or a reference/connection for your future hiring manager.

Unfortunately, some people exhibit the indifferent behavior during the time of change. They may have been your best friends and supporters while you were in power, but when you are leaving and they perceive you as no longer useful, a simple goodbye becomes too much for them to give. Demonstrating gracefulness, both in good and bad times, holds significant influence over the trajectory of your career.

In today's interconnected world, platforms like LinkedIn provide a glimpse into our professional networks, making it easy for hiring managers to conduct background checks. Your reputation, however, extends beyond what is listed on your resume, and presented during interviews. It is built over time through your interactions and how you treat individuals who may not offer immediate benefits.

Some golden rules in a challenging job market

In today's competitive job market, with hundreds and thousands of applicants vying for each position, it's important to stand out to hiring managers who have limited time and cognitive capacity. Here are some tips to consider when applying for a job.

Keep your resume concise: Opt for a 1–2-page resume, focusing on key highlights. Remember, less is often more. Additionally, embrace your uniqueness and find ways to showcase what sets you apart from other candidates.

Carefully analyze the job description: Take the time to thoroughly understand the requirements of the role and align them with the needs of the company. Here is a recent example, among the sea of applicants, one candidate stood out by crafting a cover letter that included a table. In one column, he listed the needs from the job description, and in the other column, he detailed his relevant experiences that matched those needs. This candidate's dedication and intelligent approach paid off, setting him apart from the competition.

Tips for Interviewing Jobs:

#1. Trust

Hiring managers face immense pressure to identify trustworthy candidates. Trust is a combination of character and competency, with competency being relatively easier to showcase compared to character. Character, however, can be revealed through behavior-based interviews, where past examples demonstrate how individuals have handled various situations.?Taking the time for introspection is crucial. Ask yourself honestly about your true values, not what others want you to value or what you wish to value. Understanding your genuine values is essential. If you're unsure of the answer, it is advisable to invest time now to gain clarity.

At a psychological level, trust encompasses both warmth and competency. While competency is often easily discernible, warmth is something we sometimes neglect to emphasize. Paying attention to both aspects can significantly impact how others perceive and trust you.

#2. Respect yourself.

During job interviews, it is important to remember that you are not desperate for any particular job. Approach the process with a mindset that you are also evaluating the company. Respect yourself and maintain your dignity throughout the interview.

Avoid trying too hard to please the hiring manager by being excessively nice or overly accommodating. Similarly, don’t try to make a strong impression by using the hiring company's background or unnecessary animations as distractions. Instead, focus on showcasing your own values and competency.

Remember that rejection simply means the role is not the right fit for you. Do not sacrifice your dignity or compromise your self-respect in the pursuit of a job. Keep your chin up and remain confident in your abilities. Respect for oneself is key to earning respect from others.

#3. Be calm and be thoughtful

During interviews, it is important not to rush into answering questions without taking a moment to pause and understand them. Many candidates display eagerness to respond without fully comprehending the question or its purpose. As a result, their answers may lack clarity or completely miss the point. It is always beneficial to ask clarifying questions to gain a better understanding. While a question may appear technical on the surface, behavior-based interviews often seek specific qualities or traits. Therefore, take a pause, gather your thoughts, and ask for clarification when needed.

#4. Not sharing too much personal info

When participating in interviews, it is essential to avoid oversharing personal information, even if you develop a strong rapport with the interviewers. While the primary focus may be assessing your competency in the subject matter, interviewers also evaluate your emotional intelligence and overall fit for the role based on non-verbal communication cues. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain professionalism and avoid divulging excessive personal details during the interview process.

#5. Avoid common video conferencing pitfalls

Keep in mind that interviewers are humans with a multitude of responsibilities beyond conducting interviews. Strive to create a pleasant experience for them during the interview. Avoid common video conferencing pitfalls, such as using two screens that obscure your face or positioning the camera too high or low, resulting in unflattering angles or limited visibility.

Ideally, position yourself directly in front of the screen, ensuring that your upper body is visible. This allows interviewers to observe your hand movements, which creates a sense of psychological safety. When only your head is visible, trust may be compromised from the interviewer's perspective. By presenting yourself with clear visibility and open body language, you can enhance the level of trust and engagement during the interview.

By following these golden rules, you can increase your chances of catching the attention of hiring managers and securing the desired job opportunity.

Final Thoughts

Jeff Bezos wisely stated that instead of asking what will change in the next five to ten years, it is more beneficial to consider what will remain constant. By identifying these unchanging elements, businesses and individuals can develop strategies that are adaptable and resilient in the face of future changes. Ultimately, understanding what will not change provides a valuable framework for long-term success and growth.

Governor J.B. Pritzker shared a powerful message in his Northwestern University commencement speech: "The kindest person in the room is often the smartest." I wholeheartedly agree. Demonstrating kindness and grace towards others, even before you require assistance, creates a foundation for help to arrive when needed. As AI technology continues to gain popularity, it is essential to recognize that human qualities, such as kindness, loyalty, and empathy, remain our most invaluable and irreplaceable assets.